Throw a fabulous Diamond Jubilee street party! |
The Queen's Diamond Jubilee is set to be one of the biggest events of 2012, and what better way to celebrate than gathering your neighbours and friends for a street party?
Start by calling a meeting with your neighbours to find out who would be interested in holding a street party. Providing the majority of residents are agreeable to the idea, you can apply to your local council for permission to close the street for the event (most local councils will have an online form on their website).
Once numbers have been firmed up and the street closure confirmed, it's time to get down to some serious planning. It's best to get everyone together and give different groups specific jobs to make sure everything runs smoothly. Don't forget to let the kids get involved too!
Food and Drink
A great way to get the whole community involved in the party is for everyone to bring a dish and lay them out on long tables in the street. To avoid doubling up on treats, compile a list and ask your neighbours what they plan to make. Give the tables a patriotic makeover with Union Jack patterned cloths, and display cakes and snacks on Jubilee themed stands. Encourage the little ones to join in by making up Jubilee coasters for the table, and arrange flags in vases for simple yet effective centerpieces. For parties that are going to head merrily through the afternoon into evening, why not decorate some crown-shaped tea-light holders for some atmospheric lighting as the night draws in.
Decorations
One of the most exciting parts of setting up your party is decorating the street beforehand. Union Jack bunting is a must and can be strung around fences, tree-tops or tables for a striking effect in minutes. Paper lanterns and fairy lights will also add a magical touch to proceedings, while balloons are a must too! Jazz up your tables with handmade name place settings – these are a great activity for the younger ones to get stuck into in the run up to the big event.
Fancy Dress
For those who really want to get into the Jubilee spirit, why not have a fancy dress theme for your party? Or, you could simply ask that everyone dresses in red, white and blue or has a royal theme to their outfit. Children can make up masks to wear for the occasion, and there are plenty of Union Jack patterned hats to choose from for the adults among your gathering. Face paints are also a great idea for the little ones, and make for great photos afterwards!
Games and Activities
Although there will be plenty of food and good company to keep everyone occupied during the party, it can be a good idea to plan a few activities, especially for the children attending the event. Set up a royal themed crafting table where they can sit and make things while still feeling like part of the festivities. Depending on the size and space in your street, you could also have an area for traditional group games such as rounders, or sports-day style races.
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